Today I am very happy to welcome Tony to tell us all about his new book The Haunting Of Alice May and a little about himself. Details on the book follow and it’s a deal this weekend.
Tell us a little about your current novel, what readers can expect from it.
“The Haunting of Alice May” which is published this month, is a love story between a ghost and a human. When Alice May Parker moves to Pacific Grove, California, she is rescued from drowning by Henry Raphael. Handsome, old fashioned and cordial, he sees straight into her soul. Soon the two are involved in a romance but destructive forces threaten to tear them apart. I was inspired by the JM Barrie play “Mary Rose” and how the dead come back to haunt the living. Themes in the novel include what it means to be alive, what it’s like to lose someone you love, and the possibility of an after life
Where did you grow up and what was family life like?
I grew up in Hastings by the beach, so the sea has always been an important part of my life, beachcombing and wading in rock pools. I had a very happy child hood, but I did have some fears such as drowning which becomes a strong story point in my novel. Later I moved to Monterey which seemed to be the perfect backdrop for the story because of it’s supernatural history and folk lore.
Academic or creative at school
I was both. My favourite subjects were English, Art and Biology and I have used all three in my vocation in life so I have been very fortunate.
First job you really wanted to do
Working for the BBC Natural History Unit which I achieved as I was a researcher for David Attenborough.
Do you remember the moment you first wanted to write.
Yes I’ve been writing since a child, reading and writing stories as long as I can remember. I wanted to be a journalist or an author.
Who are your real life heroes?
Alfred Hitchcock, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Funniest or most embarrassing situation you’ve found yourself in.
I seldom have moments of highs or lows.
DIY expert or phone a friend
Phone a friend
Sunworshipper or Night Owl
A bit of both. I love beach holidays in the South of France, but I always do some of my best writing at night.
A book that had you in tears
Love in the Time of Cholera
A book that made you laugh out loud
The Game
One piece of life advice you give everyone
Live for the moment and don’t worry about the future. Enjoy the here and now. Easier said than done, but try not to let time slip when you can be creative.
Alice May Parker moves with her family to the sleepy town of Pacific Grove after her Mom dies, but little does she know the strange and terrifying events to come. When she falls into the bay during a kayaking trip, she is rescued from drowning by the mysterious Henry Raphael. Handsome, old fashioned and cordial, he is unlike any other boy she has known before. Intelligent and romantic, he sees straight into her soul. Soon Alice and Henry are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance until she finds out that Henry is not all what he seems. . .
Follow Tony on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. All details on his website here.
Happy Reading!
